Conveyer



Ja n. 8,1929." 1,697,963

. REDLER v coNvsYgR Filed Feb. 9', 1925 9 Sheets-s eet .1

Jan. 1;, 1929. 9 1,697,963 A. REDLER CONVEYER Filed Feb. '9, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 6. 0 9 0 fIN OR RNOLD RE LER,

A. REDLER CONVEYER Filed Feb. 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 ARNOLD R501. ER,

Jan. 8, 1929.

A. REDLER CONVEYER Filed Feb. 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet e INVENTOR Jan. 8, 1929. 1,697,963

A. REDLER ,CONVEYER Fil Feb. 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 IAWENTOR ARNOLD REDLER,

1,697,95 A. REDLER Jan. 8, 1929.

CONVEYER 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb 9, 1925 INVENTOR: I ARNOLD RsogER,

- annonn nnnnnin, on s rines-noses, anemia),

i convnrnn;

mm-lemma February 9, ezaseml m. 7,914, and in Great Britain am 5,

This invention relates to conveyors of the type comprising a chain moving in a closed or open trough, as described iir my patent. specification No. 1,475,596. In this specifica 6' tion I have described a conveyor inwhich the load is carried on a layer of the material held in the links of an open chain, said layer acting exactly as a hand conveyor. 7 According to this invention 1 provide a 10 conveyer or conveyer chain or chains, characterized in that the chain or chains are constructed of open linkwork with crossbars of small dimensions in the direction of travel. Jlhe conveyor chain may be made or built .15 up of: one or more chains with or without connecting bars between the chains where more than one chain is employed and with or without projections on the outer sides of the t chain or chains. l

In one arrangementthe chain or chains can be placed side by side inan open trough and they can be driven individually or connected together with connecting bars so as to form a multiple chain. A chain so constructed is capable of carrying a load whose depth is approximately equal to the width ofthe chain. In certain-'cases where it is desirable to keep the width of the conveyer narrow, one or more chains ata distance approximately equal to the width of the said first chain or chains; this method of layers can be repeated if additional conveying capacity is required. These one or'more upper chains can, if desired, be driven individually and independcntly of the first chain or chains, or if preferred the upper chain or chains can be connected with connecting bars to the firstor under chain.

40 To enable the last described combined chain. to negotiate sprockets or curves, the top chain can be loosely hinged in order to allow ittoflengthen or'shorten as the case maybe. V

The trough or box for conveyors made in accordance with this invention can be .open or closed, or partly open andpartly closed, or either of the foregoing, a portion of the chain or chains runningin the open.

In one arrangement, theitop run conveys the materialinthe catamaran-the trail-j ing terminal to the drivingftenminal, and the material can be discharged anywhere between these two points or be discharged over the d i g e m l, alter ative-method is fbr the under chain to do the conveying and 'the return chain to be carried above the trough or box which contains the under run,

or the upper run can be carried in a trough entirely separate from the under run.,

In another arrangement the circuit of the chain is in a closed trough-(or partly closed I and partly open trough) with only one driv I mg terminal. For this purpose a suitable chain is one constructed as above stated with one chain connected with'bars to a chain at a distance above it equal to the width of the chain together forming a built-up chain, the upper chain or member or members of the chain being provided with loose joints-as above described. In operation, the bottom portion of the built-up chain does the conveying on the upper run of the circuit, and the other portion of the built-up chain does the conveying in the lower run of thecircuit. I5

In completing the circuit around the vertical portion, both portions of the built-up chain come into operation, the efiect being that the material can be conveyed around the whole circuit in whichever direction desired, so provided the sprockets are situated so as not to interfere with the travel of,the material. In practice one or more inlets can be introduced anywhere. in the circuit, provided the angle of the incline-of the conveyer in that particular position or positions is such that 7 material would iiow into the conveyer as the material is being led away. One or more outlets can be arranged in the circuit of the conveyer.

in certain cases, to'facilitate the receiving in or discharge of the, material, or for other reasons, the chain can be in'the open anywhere in the circuit. a

In plain open linkwork, the crossbars in depth can be about to the pitch or distance of one crossbar from the other, and l' have found that the crossbars 4 inches apart f and inches deep give. good-results for all conveyers up to 8 1nches wide.

In plan, the confi uration of the crossbars and. sides \can be 0? various forms, but the averagingv of the conti 'ura-tinn to simple 1 straight crossbars should bear the crossbar depth ratio to the distance they areapart a gm stated above. I

In-plan,.the chainscan be of any configuration. The open-spaces in the chain or chain's or'open' linkwork should preferably e large n ugh to allow the substances to are charge when passing over apertures which can be provided in the bottom of the trough.

In some cases when the discharge is over a sprocket or other terminahma'terial can be larger thanthe holesor spaces formed in the chain or chains.

In one form of chain, the sides of the links can be brought together to a point forwardly or rearwardly in order to lessen the number of the joints or hinges in the chain and also to enable the chain to hinge in a lateral direction as well as being hinged in the other direction, portions of the sides performing the function of crossbars. In like manner where chains are built-up by means of connecting bars at/a parallel dis- 1 tance one above the -other,instead of four hinged oints connecting one built-up link to the next, the four sides can be brought together to central points one forwardly and one rearwardly to form universaljoints between the links in the centre line of the builtup chain.

The upper and lower runs of the chains do not run in the same box or trough. The top and bottom runs act independently. One can be in an open or closed trough and the 7 other in theopen at any distance therefrom,

or each may be in entirely separate open or closed troughs, or the circuit of the chain can be completed in either of the above ways providedthe two runs of the chain are not contained in the same trough anywhere.

If to economize space, or for other reasons, 'it is found necessary that the troughs of both runs be in close proximity-to" each other, it is essential in order to comply with this invention that one run he in a space entirely separated from the other run, so that both runs can act independently.

The boxes or troughs can be ade of wood,

" iron, concrete or other suitable material, and

can be loosely jointed, if desired, or constricting depth of the projections should be measured at right angles to the surface against which the projections bear. In like manner, links may be constructed with projections in any inclined horizontal or vertical positions in comb-like or other formation. 1

Instead of lengthening or shortening the chain to fit the box, trough or casing, the trough or casingcan be adjustable by means of a telescopic or other suitable arrangement. One or more driving sprockets or other like means or guides or trailing sprockets can be provided for each conveyer. :If desired, any of them can bemade adjustable to tighten or slacken the chain or chains.

One or more chains may be placed in the same trough side by side and one ormore chains may be placedabovethem forming a layeror layers, or the trough or box can be parted longitudinally a part or the whole of its length or circuit, so that the same or difi'erent.materials can be conveyed without one portion coming into contact with another portion. Likewise one or more built-up chains can be placed side by side or one or more above each other, and if desired they canbe separated in the same trough or box as described.

One or more conveyers of any modified.

form in accordance with this invention can work in conjunction with each other or with apparatus described in my patents for a chain-like discharger. (No. 1,416,416), for a conveyer (No. 1,47 5,596) and for links (No. 1,483,567), or with apparatus relating to conveying and elevating from a ships hold de scribed in my pending patent application Serial No. 680,613, or with apparatus for conveying or feeding material to weighing machines, or to any other machinery for any 'purposes whatever. a So-called drag chains, hitherto used for the purpose of conveying loose material, have structed of flexible material so as to be easily. crossbars on edge. In the conveyer accordmoved into other positions or bent into various forms.

equal to the depth in the inside trough or box with the crossbar or crossbars of the chain or chains in all cases being less than ,4 of theinside trough.

The cross section of trough, box, or casing can be square, rectangular, .round, or' any form desired. 'Play should be allowed between the chain and the casing, the amount depending on the nature of the material. In some cases the sides of the trough .may be inclined to the. bottom, and the sides of the link provided with projections at a simi- -lar inclination, the projections perform the same function as the crossbars and the re- The distance between the crossbars should bev about 4 inches. -For larger sized chains, the size of the metal should be increased proportionately to provide sufiicient strength for the increased loads so that for a 16 inch chain, the crossbar should inch deep by 1 inches wide in whichjcase the apertures,

can be a little larger, :(than. for 8 inch chain) say 6 inches. I, however, prefer-thecrossa bar less deepif the strength of the metal will, allow it and a smaller apertureL" If de-v sired, the crossbar can beopen in the middle to impart greater strength to the constructionand enabling the metal to be slightly less in depth.

iau

.plane in the'same conveyer.

, The joints of the chain should be of much greater depth than the depth of its crossbar. The crossbars can be in a plane in the centre line of the joints, or they may be in the plane-of the top of the joints, min a plane with the bottom of the joints, or they may be'partly in one plane and partly in another One form of link can be constructed in a cellularfform so that one member of the crossbar at its highest point is above the centre line of the chain a distance equal to one-half the width of the link. The other member of the crossbar at its lowest point may be a .similar distance below the centre line of the bar can be cellular or bridged and brought to height approximately equal. to the Width Cal of thechain. ,Also, if desired, the sides of the links can be brought together to points forwardly and rearwardly, each point to con.- nect with the adjoining link With a single universal joint. I

If desired, each alternate link canbe connected so that the sides are vertical one over the other, whilst the intermediate links have the sides horizontal, or the sides canbe ar-. ranged in continuous alignment with one another or otherwise. F

lVith links made in accordance with this invention, the chains may take 'a tortuous course in one or more planes.

By the term conveyer, I include all chain conveyers, whether working horizontally,

, vertically or on any slope, such chain convey- .when used as an elevator is closed.-

shown in Fig. 6;

ers transporting the material en masse, that is, as a whole.- It will also be understood that-the casing Referring tothe diagrammatic drawings filed herewith:

Fig. 1 is a plan of one form of link made in accordance with this invention; V

Fig. 2 is an end eleva-tion of the link shown in Fig. l; I

Fig. 3 is a plan of a link showing the sides brought to a. point forwardly and rearwardly;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the link shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is any end view of a link in which the projections on the sides are inclined to' the base; i 1 Fig. 5 is a. plan on Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 is a plan of a multiple chain formed with-links similarto that shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is an endelevation of'the chain l 1 1;ig.8 is a plan of one form of built-up 05 III Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the built-up link shown in Fig. 8;

j Fig. 1 0 is a side elevation of a chain formed of links shown in Fi s. 8 and 9; v Q Fig. 11 is a plan 0? another form of builtup link with the hinges in 'the centreline;

Fig. 12 is an end elevation of the link shownin Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of a chain formed of links shown inF igs. '11 and 12; r 1

Fig. 14 is a plan of a link provided with an open crossbar;

Fig. 15 is an endelevation of the link shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a plan of a link in which the crossbar is open above and below the centre line Fig. 17 is an end elevation of the link shown in Fig. 16;

. Fig. 18 is a planet a chain formed of links shown in Figs. 16 and 17;

Fig. 19 is a side elevation of the chain shown in 1*ig.'18;- i A Fig. 20 is a plan of a modified construction 0 of link oi Fig, 16 in circular form; I

Fig. 21 is an end elevation of the link shown in Fig. 19;

Fig. 22 is a plan of. a chain formed of links shown in Figs. 20 and.21;

Fig. 23 is av side elevation of the chaiir shown in plan in Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is an elevation of a conveyor with the upper run ofthe chain in the-open, the

under run carrying the material in an open .00

or closed trough, the chain being a single or multiple formation of links shown in Figs. 1and2or6and7;

Fig. 25 is a plan of the conveyer shown in' Fig. 24 with a single chain; 1

. Fig. 26 is a plan of a circuit conveyer working in a horizontal plane and formed of links shown in Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 27 is an elevation of a conveyer with the under run of the chain in the open, the upper-run carrying the material in an open or closed trough, the chain being of single or multiple formationof links shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or 6 and 7;

.Fig. 28 is a planot'theconveyer shown in Fig. 27; I i

F lg. 29 ii" anjelevation of a conveyer as shown in Fig. 27 in which two chains, one above the other are employed; Fig. 30 is a plan of the conveyer shown in. 12 Fig.29; Fig. 31 is an elevation or plan of a circuit conveyer disposed in any plane and with links as shown in Figsu8, 9 and 10, g is the'driving terminal; i ,f 1-25 Fig. 32 is a' planor elevation of a circuit conveyer with links as shown in Figs. 16; 17,

18 and 19 the vertical and horizontal planes;

Fig. is a plan or elevation of a circuit conveyer having one driving device and having a pipe-like casing showing the conveyer with vertical and horizontal limbs having links as shown in Figs. 20, 21,22 and 23 and capable of operating. in a tortuous path;

Fig. 36 is a plan of a modified construction of link in which the cross bars are in bridge or arched iorm;

Fig. 37 is an end elevation;

Fig. 38 is a side view;

. Fig. 39 is a plan of a link with sides brought to'a point forwardly and rearwardly;

Fig. is an end elevation;

Fig. 41 is a side elevation.

In the diagrammatic drawings similar reference letters are used for similar parts.

In Figs. 1 and 2, f is the trough in which the conveyor works; the crossbar (a and sides 7) are at right angles to one' another and-are hinged at c c.

In Figs. 3 and i, the sides are brought to gether to points 0 c the links being provided with means by which they can be hinged together at these points.

InFigs. 5 and 5", the crossbar a is provided with projections 62 d which are inclined.

In Figs. 6 and 7 the links formed of cross-' bars 'a-and sides Z) Z) are used to make a chain shown at A.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10, connecting bars 6 conncct the sides 6 b of a lower chain to corresponding sides in an upper chain, the sides are" the chain are identical, but alternatelinks are turned through 90.

In F igs'. 2OYand 21, the Crossbars are open into circular formation a and the sides I) bent into circular formation to points 0.

In Figs. 22'and 23, all the links forming the chainare "identical, but alternate links ardturned-thinugh 90.

In Figs. 24 and 25, the trough is; rectan gular in form, the sprockets g and it being used either as a or trailing sprockets.

Giude lutheels j Tare where required, is is an inlet and an an outlet, thelinks being as shown in Figsfil and 2 or 61nd 7. l

are brought The sides I) are brought to a point 0', c.

-tion.of these planes.

In Fig. 26, the conveyer is shown in a cir-.

cuit, the driving gear g being disposed beneath the conveyor in any suitable position, the chain A being adapted to travel in/either direction the and'i.

In Figs. 27 and 28, the chain is shown as a multiple chain, the driving, sprocket 9 being disposed at the end'of the trough or casing f, the linksbeing as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or (Sand 7.- y a In Figs. 29 and 30, the driving sprockets are shown as g 7' and the trailing sprockets 72. h. Two chains A and A are disposed at a distance apart about equal to the width of thg chain, the links being as shown in Figs. 1and2or6and7. a

In Fig. 31, the chain A is formed of links shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the conveyor can work in any plane and permits a certain amount of deviation from the planein which it is disposed. V Y

In Figs. 32 and 33, the chain A is formed of links as shown in Figs. 16, 17, 18 and 19,

certain amount of deviation 'froin th-e plane links being as-shown in F igs. 3

in which it is disposed, -The trough f is square or rectangular incross-section.

In Figs. 3t and 35, the chain A is formed of links shown in Figs. 20, 21, 22 and 23 and works in a tubular casing which can be flexible and moved in any direction.

In Figs. 36, 37 and 38 the crossbars a are arched or of bridge formation.

In Figs. 39, 40, 41 the Crossbars a are arched and the sides I) are brought to a point a.

'VVitjh a conveyer made in accordance with this invention, the material is transported en masse, that is, as a whole and great eificiency is attained and should a choke occur, the chain will pull through the material and thus reduce the risk of breaking the chain and fur-- be blocked, the material will be carried round ther in the circuit conveyer, should the miner and round until the outlet is free, auto-matically controlling the inlet. It will also be noted that the casing when-used as an elevator is closed. f 1

The dominant idea or feature of the inven tion is that the chain has its constituent ele ments assembled and proportioned so that it (in conjunction. with the casing wherein it works). conveys the material en inasse in any direction in any circuit in any plane, whether horizontal, vertical, inclined, or any combina- In short-it maybe sa'id that the chain forms a kind of temporary reinforcement to the mass of material in the casing functioning to coalesce and transport it in bulkvmass, that is to say the material 'coalesces in the opening of the links, whereby the-links anda part of tlie material composing the load-jointly form or act as a continuous band supported thebottom of ,the casing.

g structures traversably associated with the cas- 1 ture. 1

ing at least two sides of the casing and only to beconveyed.

The remainder of theload is carried by this elements disposed in various planes and conimprovised band which can be of considerable stituting said structure, said chain-likestrucdepth. 4 1 'ture sweeping at least two sidesof the casing What I claim and desire to secure by Letand only filling part of the cross-sectionof 5 ters Patent is:+- v the casing, said lateral and transverse -ele.-

. '1. A conveyer for transporting material en ments forming a skeleton framework supmasse in any predetermined circuit, comprisporting the material ,to be conveyed, said ing a casing adapted for the entry and disframework supporting the sides of the stream charge of the material, and endless chain-like of material to be conveyed.

6. A conveyer'for transporting material ing and assembled toconstitute a superimen'masse in any desired circuit, coapprisin a posed series, with the eonstituent chain-like casing, an inlet to said casing for the material,

structures spaced apart at a distance approxian outlet to said casing for the material, an

' means for traversing said structure relative 2. A conveyer for transporting material to said casing, lateral and transverse elements mately equal to the width of the bottom strucendless chain-like structure in said casing,".

en masse in any desired circuit, comprising a disposed in various planes and constituting casing, an inlet to said casing for the material, said structure, said chain-like structure an outlet to said casing for the material, an sweeping at least two sides of the casing and endless chain-like structure in said casing, only filling part of the cross-section of the means for traversing said structure relative casing, said lateral and transverse elements to said'casing, lateral and transverse elements forming a skeleton framework supporting disposed in various planes and constituting the material to be conveyed, said framework said structure, said chain-like structure sweepsupporting the top of the stream of material filling part of the cross-section of the casing '7.- A conveyer for transporting material 3. A conveyer for transporting material en en masse inany desired circuit, comprising a masse in any desired circuit, comprising a casing, aninlet to said casing forthe material, casing, an inlet to said casing for the material, an outlet to said casing for the material, an

an, outlet to said casing for the material, an endless chain-like structure in said casing,

endless chain-Iike'structure in said casing, means for traversingsaid structure relative means for traversing said structure relative to said casing, lateral and transverse elements to said-casing, lateral and transverse elements disposed in various planes and constituting disposed in various planes. and constituting said structure, said chain-like structure said structure, said chain-like structure sWeepweeping at l t wo Sid s of thecasing and ing at-least twosides of the casing and only only filling part/of the cross-section of the fillingpart of the cross-section of the casing, casing, said lateral and transverse elements saidlateral and transverse elements forming forming askeleton framework supporting the a skeleton framework supporting the matematerial to beconveyed, said framework sup rial to be conveyed. 4 porting the sides and top of the stream of ma I 4. A conveyer "for transporting material terial to be conveyed.

en masse in any desired circuit, comprising a rial, an outlet to said casing for the material, -casing, an inlet to said casing for the material,

an endless chain-like structure in said'casing, an outlet to said casing for the material, an means for traversing said structure relative endless chain-like structure in said casing, to said casing, lateral and transverse elemeans for traversing said structure relative ments disposed in various planes and constito Said casing,'l a tera-l and transverse elements tuting ,said structure, said chain-like strucdisposed in various planes and constituting ture sweeping at least two sides of the casing" said structure, said ham-llke structure 8. A conveyer for transporting material I casing, an inlet to said casing for the mateen masse 1n any deslred circuit, comprising aand-only filling part of the cross-section of sweeping at least two si es pf the casing and the casing, said lateral. and transverse eleonly filling partfof the cross-section of the ments' forming 'a skeleton framework supcasing, said chain-like structure having runs porting the material 'to be conveyed,- said travelling in separate portions ofsaid casing, 55 v framework combining intimately with and he p j e run travelling in said casing-1n conveying said material without turbulence definite spaced relationship with another run. -'orhruising of said material on the 'full feed' 9. Aconveyer for transportingmater al en when exceeding the. angle of repose. masse in any desired clrcult, 'comprls'ing' a.

5. A conveyer for transporting material casing, an what to said casing for the material,

60 en masse in any desired circuit, comprising anoutlet to said casing for the material, an

a casing, an inlet to said casing for the maendless 'chain-like structure in said casing, t'erial, an outlet to said casing for the matemeans for traversing said'jstructure relative to rial, an. endless chain-like structure in said said casing, lateral and transverse elements casing, means for traversing said structure disposed'in various-planes and constitutingv 65 relative to said casing, lateraland transverse said structure, said chain-like structure sweeping at least two sides of the casing and only filling part of the cross-section of the casing, said lateral and transverse elements forming a skeleton framework supporting the material to be conveyed, said chain-like structure having runs travelling in definite spaced relationship with each other, the operativ 1un travelling in said casin i 10. A conveyer for transporting material en massem anydesired c1rcu1t, comprising a casin of flexible structure, an inlet to said casing tor the material, an outlet to said casing for the material, an endless chain-like structure in said casing, means tor traversing said structure relative to said casing,

lateral and transverse elements disposed invarious planes and constituting said structure, said chain-like structure sweeping at 1 least two sides of the casing and only filling part of the cross-section of the casing.

11. A' conveyer for transporting material en masse in any predetermined circuit, comprising a casing adapted for the entry and discharge of the material, and endless chainlike structures t'raversably associated with the casing and assembled to constitute a superimposed series, with the constituent chain-like structures spaced apartat .adistance approximately equal to the, width of the bottom structure. a Y Q 12. A conveyer for-transporting material en masse many desired circuit, comprising a casing, an inlet to said casing for the ma-* and transverse elements disposed in various planes and constituting said strueture, said chain-like structure sweeping at least two sides of the casing and'only filling part of the cross-section of the casing.

a 13. A conveyer for transporting material en masse in any desired circuitycomprising a casing, an inlet to' said casing for the material, an'outlet to said casing for the ma-. terial, the said outlet being'established by means positioned so that the material can discharge gravitationally, an endless chain hke structure in 531d casing, means for traversing said structure relative to said casing,

lateral and transverse elements disposed in various planes and constituting said structure, said chain-like structure sweeping at least two sides of the casing and only filling part of the cross-section of the casing.

14. A conveyerfor transporting material en masse in any desired circuit, comprising a casing, an inlet to'said casing for the material, an outlet to said casing for the material, an endless chain-like structure in said casing, said chain-like structure comprising side members and cross bars presenting operative surfaces in difierent planes, means for traversing said structure relative to said casing, lateral and transverseelements disposed in various planes andconst-ituting said structure, said chain-like structure sweeping at least two sides of the casing and only filling par-tot the cross-section of the casing, said lateral and transverse elements forming a skeleton framework supporting the material least two sides of the casing and only filling part o-f.the cross-section of the casing, said lateral and transverse elements forn'nng a Q skeletonframework supporting the material to be conveyed. 7

-- 16. A eonveyer for transporting material en masse in any desired circuit, comprising a casing, an inlet to said casing for the matei ial, anoutlet to said casing for the material, an endless chain-like structure in said side members and cross bars having bridgelikestructures associated therewith, means for traversing said structure relative to said casing, lateral and transverse elements dis posed in various planes and constituting said structure, said chain-like structure sweeping .a-tleast two sides of the casing and only filling part of the cross-section of the casing, said lateral and transverse elements forming a skeleton framework supporting the material to be conveyed' -In testimony whereof, I aflix'my signatiire."

ARNQLD REDLERQ casing, said chain-like structure comprising 

